Bishop Marcus ordained James Aitchison as a Permanent Deacon during a Mass at Leeds Cathedral on Saturday, 3 July, the Feast of St Thomas the Apostle.
Bishop Marcus concelebrated with Mgr Paul Fisher VG, Canon Matthew Habron, Dean of the Cathedral and Fr Michael Walsh, Parish Priest of the Immaculate Heart, Huddersfield. Deacon James was presented for ordination by Rev David Arblaster, Director of the Permanent Diaconate. Also present was former Director, Rev Keith Ballard. The First Reading was read by Deacon James’ daughter, Beatrice and at the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist the Gifts were presented by his wife, Nicky and their son, William.
Deacon James was joined for the occasion by family and friends, parishioners from the Immaculate Heart of Mary parish in Huddersfield, and colleagues from St Wilfrid’s High School, Featherstone.
In a message to those present in the Cathedral, Deacon James said that his ordination had been a life journey of faith, nurtured by family and friends, especially by keeping him and his wife and children in their prayers, and who, he said, had “shaped me and my vocation as a husband, father and now, Deacon. Deo Gratias to you all!”
The following day Deacon James preached for the first time during Sunday Mass at the Church of the English Martyrs, in Immaculate Heart Parish, Huddersfield, where he will exercise his ministry as a Permanent Deacon.
Photographs from the Mass of Ordination can be viewed by following this link https://www.patricksicephotography.co.uk/blog/ordination-to-the-diaconate-of-james-aitchison
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